Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-10-18
Letter from Ohio.
CosHocroN COUNTY, o.,
October 10. 1887.

OcCODeT III, 1000
Mfr. Editor Those who have
travelled through the far-famed Valley
of the Shenandoah, at the season of
the wear when, the earth teens with
luxuriant growths of vegetation, and
the atmosphere is laden with the red
Eolence of wild flowers, and then pass
into the region of northern West Vir-
ginia adjacent to the line of the b. &
o. r. r., are often astonished at the
wild and desolate aspect of the coun-
try. A moments reflection, however,
will tell them that beneath those
dragged peaks and virgin forests lies
the richest deposit of coal known to
the human race. Commencing in the
Adirondacks of northern New York,
this coal field extends without a break
to central Alabama on the south. Its
width varies from so to 500 miles ;
the thickness of it's main stratum in
w. Va. from four to II feet. When
we reflect that fully one fourth of
this vast area is contained within the
confines of our mountain State, we
have ample to wonder at the
sparse numbers of her inhabitants,
and their seeming poverty. With the
increase Of the population of the
country at large, the demand for fuel
will awaken to activity this latent de-
post, and NE hope and believe, that
the day is not far distant when the
ring of the miners pick will resound
through every valley, and West Vir-
ginia, thrice glorious State, will take
her place among the empire States of
the Union. 1t was my pleasure to
pass through the region to which 1
have alluded during the latter part of
August. 1 was somewhat interested
in observing the numbers and char
acter of the travellers, the condition
of the roadbed, the equipment of the
railroad and other evidences of pros
perity of the Railroad Co. in general.
The number of through passengers
were very small compared with that
of the Penn. r. r., which 1 saw afew
days later, nor was the roadbed in as
good condition as one would expect
to find on q irst-class road. Cross
ing the Ohio river q few miles below
Wheeling, l entered the third State
of the Union in wealth. From the
Ohio to the Muskingum Valley the
soil seemed TO be rich and productive !;
the farm buildings substantial in
fact, in striking contrast to the coun-
try 1 had just passed through, evil
dences of prosperity reigned on every
side. The local travellers, however,
seemed rough and uncouth i'll man.
ners compared with the Virginians.
Many ladies remained standing I'M
able TO get seats, while strong and
healthy men lounged about, apparent
ly comfortable. L observed nc gal
lantry on the part of the men at all.
The valley of the Muskingum, though
narrow, is n of the richest of the
State. The river bottoms extending
in wide expanses or either side of the
river, produce magnificent crops of
corn. No fertilizer is EVER used /; and
it seems as if the farmer has but TO
tickle the ground with a pillow and the
necessaries of life lie in glittering
heaps before him. 1 saw wheat
drilled into corn-ground with the
ground Just .as.it-was when the-corn
was cut off. l was told that the
present corn crop was a failure, the
general average about eight to ten
barrels. The topography of the coun-
try is striking-rich alluvial bottoms
adjacent to the river, high hills far
Their off, which for grazing purposes
are excellent. About 8 per cent. of
the land is covered with timber,
mostly white oak and maple. The
population Of this county is about
thirty thousand, in area about ]
larger than Jefferson county. The
market price of wheat is zoe per
bushel, corn SOC. Horses are very
high; a good draught horse will de-
maud from 5000 to $500. Merino
sheep arc numerous, though in little
demand. The foot-rot seems to pre-
vail everywhere. A few negroes are
seen on the public works. There are
many pensioners. and they draw their
dividends from the public crib with
the regularity of the months. The
Coshocton fair m off this week,
when Essex, a Vinton horse, will COM
pete for the stakes. The agricultural
people take little interest in politics.
The outlook for Democratic success
this fall is excellent.